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60mm f2.4 vs 56mm f1.2 for Portraits

Started Sep 7, 2019 | Photos thread
HB1969 Senior Member • Posts: 1,724
Re: 60mm f2.4 vs 56mm f1.2 for Portraits
1

Robert A wrote:

The 56mm is ideal If all you care about is blowing out the backgrounds. But I'm more into environmental work, so the surroundings need to be clear enough to understand.

For me, the best shot is the first one, and it was taken with the 60mm. There's plenty of snap, and I can see the subject's environment.

Both type of portraits have merit

The beauty of an f/1.2 lens is that you can also use it stopped down. You can't get f/1.2 on an f/2.4 lens.

It all comes down to shooting style. As you say, your preference is for environmental portraits so if you never feel you need wider apertures, there's really no need for the extra expense. Other's may want the flexibility to do both or prefer subject isolation. I think the problem comes when people buy a faster lens and feel that they always have to use it wide open otherwise they've wasted their money.

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